Director, Advancement

As a Director in the Advancement team, you are a senior leader responsible for operationalizing our innovation agenda. Reporting to the Lead of Advancement, you will take the conceptual, future-focused ideas from our strategic roadmap and transform them into structured pilot programs and proof-of-concepts. Your mission is to own these critical innovation projects from design through to initial delivery and analysis. You will be responsible for testing new AI capabilities, piloting new global delivery models, and proving the value of emerging technologies. This is a key strategic role that requires a blend of creative thinking, analytical rigor, and disciplined project delivery to turn visionary ideas into data-backed business cases, ready for wider rollout.

Responsibilities

Operationalize the innovation agenda as a senior leader in the Advancement team; Take conceptual, future-focused ideas from the strategic roadmap and transform them into structured pilot programs and proof-of-concepts; Own innovation projects from design through initial delivery and analysis; Test new AI capabilities, pilot new global delivery models, and prove the value of emerging technologies; Turn visionary ideas into data-backed business cases ready for wider rollout; Within 6 months: take ownership of one or two key innovation initiatives and launch a structured pilot program; Within 12 months: complete the first major pilot program and deliver a comprehensive analysis and recommendation to senior leadership

Requirements

8-10+ years of experience in a role focused on innovation, business transformation, strategy, or internal consulting; Proven experience taking conceptual ideas and turning them into tangible projects, pilot programs, or new business capabilities; Strong project management skills, with experience managing complex, ambiguous projects in an innovation or R&D context; Excellent business analysis and financial modeling skills, with experience building business cases and measuring the impact of new initiatives; Familiarity with emerging technologies like AI/automation and a deep understanding of how they can be applied to drive business value

Benefits

Competitive medical insurance; Group retirement plans; Vision and dental insurance; Significant paid time off; Preferential partner discounts; Employee mental health awareness days; Access to global WPP Media and WPP networks; Employee resource groups